If your vehicle has a strut-type suspension, you may need to rotate the struts 180 degrees from time to time. This is not a difficult task, but it is one that should be done with care.
Here are the steps you’ll need to follow:
1. Jack up the car and support it on jack stands. Be sure to place the stands under the frame of the car, not just under the body.
2. Remove the wheel and tire from the strut assembly.
3. Unbolt the upper mount of the strut from the vehicle’s body or frame. You will likely need a socket wrench or an impact gun to do this.
4. Carefully pull the entire strut assembly out of its location in the vehicle.
Take note of how it was positioned before removal so that you can reinstall it in exactly the same way.
How to Rotate Strut Mount
If you’re a car owner, sooner or later you’ll need to know how to rotate your strut mount. This simple maintenance task can be easily done at home with the proper tools and a little bit of know-how.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to rotate your strut mount:
1. Jack up your car and support it securely on jack stands. Never work under a car that is only supported by a jack!
2. Remove the wheel and tire assembly from the affected corner of the car.
3. Unbolt the upper strut mount from the vehicle body using a wrench or socket set. The exact location and type of bolts will vary depending on your vehicle make and model, so consult your service manual for specific instructions.
4. Swap the position of the upper strut mount with the lower mount (the one attached to the suspension coil spring).
In other words, move the upper mount to where the lower mount was, and vice versa. This will ensure that both mounts wears evenly over time.
5. Reattach both mounts to their respective locations using new nuts/bolts (if necessary).
Again, consult your service manual for specific torque specs and bolt pattern information. Be sure to tighten all bolts securely before moving on to step 6!
Does Strut Mount Orientation Matter?
It is common for many mechanics to believe that the orientation of a strut mount does not matter, however there are actually a few reasons why it can make a difference. In fact, some carmakers have even specified certain orientations for their strut mounts. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
The first reason has to do with how the weight of the vehicle is distributed. When a car is at rest, most of its weight is concentrated over the front wheels. This means that when you turn the steering wheel, the majority of the load transfers to the outside front tire.
As a result, if your strut mount is incorrectly oriented, this can cause premature wear on your tires and suspension components.
Another potential issue has to do with ride quality. If your strut mount is not properly aligned, it can cause your shocks and struts to work harder than they should have to in order to compensate.
This can lead to a rougher ride as well as decreased handling and performance.
So while it may not seem like something that would make much of a difference, paying attention to the orientation of your strut mounts can actually be important for both safety and performance reasons!
Can You Put a Left Strut on the Right Side?
No, you cannot. A left strut is made specifically for the left side of a vehicle and a right strut is made for the right side. They are not interchangeable.
How Do You Line Up a Strut?
Assuming you are referring to a gas strut, also commonly referred to as a gas spring, pneumatic spring or air spring, the steps to properly install one are as follows:
1. First, you need to determine where on the vehicle the strut will be mounted. It is important to make sure that the chosen location can support the weight of the door or hatch that will be supported by the strut.
The chosen location should also allow for easy attachment of the strut’s mounting brackets.
2. Once you have determined where to mount the strut, you will need to attach its brackets to the car body using bolts and nuts. Make sure that the brackets are securely in place before moving on to step 3.
3. With the brackets in place, you can now insert the piston rod of the strut into its bracket. Make sure thatthe piston rod is properly aligned withthe bracket before moving onto step 4.
4. Now it is time tomountthedome endof thestruttoits designated locationontherooforhatchofyourvehiclewithscrewsoranothertypeoffastenerdeemedappropriatebythestrutmanufacturerorthevehicle’sowner’smanualforthispurpose(youwilllikelyneedareflectivepencilortapemeasuretoaccuratelymarkwhereyouwillneedtodrillinto yourroofors hatchtoplace these screws).
Make sureto usethe appropriate sealantbetweenthestrutandrooftoorhatchtopreventleaksandcorrosionover time dueto moisture exposureat thisjunction point between these twocomponents..It mightalsobea good ideato apply some lubricatinggreaseontopistonrodbeforeplacingdomeendintopositiontoconcealanyrustthatmaybe present and toprevent corrosionfrom occurringin future due toover exposuretorust particles in themoving parts ofthissuspensioncomponent .With dome end screwedor otherwiseproperly securedinto position , yourinstallationis now complete!
Do Struts Move When You Turn the Wheel?
Most people believe that the struts on a car only move when the wheel is turned. However, this is not always the case. The struts may also move when the car is in motion and the wheel is not being turned.
This can be caused by a number of factors, such as uneven roads or potholes. If you notice that your struts are moving while you are driving, it is important to have them checked out by a mechanic as soon as possible.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to rotate your strut 180 degrees, there are a few things you’ll need to do. First, remove the old strut from the vehicle and then disconnect the coil spring. Next, flip the strut upside down and reconnect the coil spring.
Finally, install the new strut in the vehicle.